Technical Communication, 16th edition

Published by Pearson (March 6, 2024) © 2025

  • John M. Lannon University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
  • Laura J. Gurak University of Minnesota
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Technical Communication is designed to help you write persuasively, effectively and with a global perspective on innovations in communication. The text provides straightforward explanations that build from foundational concepts and research to document design and applications. Helpful annotated model documents and figures include examples relevant to today's workplace and make abstract concepts and technical document creation easy to grasp. Clear objectives appear at the start of every chapter and are reinforced by cases, guidelines and projects that offer meaningful practice.

The 16th Edition reflects current innovations in communication for a digitally savvy, diverse and global workforce. Coverage includes Guidelines for Identifying Misinformation, effective and legally sound use of social media and AI's role in the writing process.

PART 1: COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE

  1. Introduction to Technical Communication
  2. Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  3. Persuading Your Audience
  4. Weighing the Ethical Issues
  5. Teamwork and Global Considerations
  6. An Overview of the Technical Writing Process

PART 2: THE RESEARCH PROCESS

  1. Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  2. Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  3. Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information

PART 3: ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN

  1. Organizing for Readers
  2. Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  3. Designing Visual Information
  4. Designing Pages and Documents

PART 4: SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS

  1. Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  2. Workplace Memos and Letters
  3. Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials
  4. Technical Definitions
  5. Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  6. Instructions and Procedures
  7. Informal Reports
  8. Formal Analytical Reports
  9. Proposals
  10. Presentations and Video Conferencing
  11. Web Pages and Social Media

PART 5: RESOURCES FOR TECHNICAL WRITERS

APPENDICES

  1. A Quick Guide to Documentation
  2. A Quick Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

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